Red Flags from Prospective Pitcher's Parents

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Oct 22, 2009
1,532
0
PA
True Story: Last weekend, we are at a tournament and a parent of a player on the other team seeks out my AC (red flag #1 - his DD's team is still playing) to ask if we have a roster spot for another pitcher. My AC tells him yes we do, contact the head coach (me). The parent emails and then calls me, says his DD is a pitcher but is the 4th pitcher and not getting any circle time (red flag #2). Says she needs to play more to get better (red flag #3). We talk about her coming to try out for the team, I tell them we practice Thursday, asks if we can evaluate her sooner (but not Monday or Tuesday (red flag #4). She is also committed to go on a trip out of the country to play soccer (red flag #5), so she would not be available to play in two showcases, is that a problem?

I rearrange my practice schedule (mistake #1) to have the girl come to practice with my team. Nice kid, decent player, would be a good fit on the team. I offer the player a roster spot, speak to her parent about obtaining a release from her current team, and email them the forms. I get a return email from the dad saying thanks, we are also going to tryout for another team tomorrow night and let you know our decision. I write back, OK, it would have been nice to know that before I went to the trouble of rearranging my practice schedule. He writes back that his DD wants to play with her current team one last time to say goodbye to her friends (red flag #6 - translation: I am informing the current coach that we have an offer to jump ship, so you should give my DD more playing time on this team).

I rescinded the offer, letting the dad know that it is probably in his DD's best interest to find a better fit.

I really hate the games parents play, especially entitled pitcher's parents. It has nothing to do with softball and learning to be a better player and teammate.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
IDK, my first question would have been have you discussed this with your current coach? Do they know you are looking for a better fit to get more circle time?

You do not need a reputation of stealing llayers.
 
Oct 22, 2009
1,532
0
PA
We have 2 good pitchers, looking for a reliable #3. Lesson learned, I am going to require a player to quit their current team before trying out for mine.
 
Jan 26, 2015
92
8
Southeast
Ok not a crazy pitcher parent but wanting the best for DD. Our situation:DD is 03 playing on 04 team cus she missed last yr mound time due to knee surgery. When we tried out let them know we were entertaining possible other teams. Made and accepted offer to play with current team. Hitting Coach we started with mid summer coaches 'A' level ball and plays as much as 8 and 9 hrs away. DD would probably not get as much mound time but would be playing with some high level talent going into fall (1st yr 14u). Hitting Coach asked her to come on up and play with them but we discussed it with DD and stayed through the summer with 04 team. Not bc of mound time or not wanting to leave but cus we knew it was the right thing to do. Not all pitcher parents are crazy...

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Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
We have 2 good pitchers, looking for a reliable #3. Lesson learned, I am going to require a player to quit their current team before trying out for mine.

That's not realistic think about it if you were in the situation would you EVER do that...you better answer no.

Mistake was on the spot roster offer. The right play would have been, tell your coach you really want more circle time and I have been offered a chance to guest play on another team.

Plus the bigger question is what kind of fit was she for your team...if the answer was a good #3 pitcher then you should let her know she was not getting more than 20-25% of the circle time and would that be acceptable.

I think you have nailed the bigger point though...be willing to give anyone a chance but that chance is on YOUR terms. This is when we practice come a little early (could do a private if you have the time), see if it's a fit, you can guest one tournament, then maybe offer if things work out.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
We have 2 good pitchers, looking for a reliable #3. Lesson learned, I am going to require a player to quit their current team before trying out for mine.


If you do that I doubt you'll get anyone to look your way. Most players will not jump without a safety net unless there's a really big issue that convinced them to leave irregardless of having another team to go to.
 

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